Hydraulic tensile testing machine



g- 1947. A. J. GOLICK.

HYDRAULIC TENSILE TESTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1947. A. J. GOLICK HYDRAULIC TENSILE TESTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1945 I exander is (Ittbmcgs.

, 1947. A; J. GOLICK HYDRAULIC IENSILE TESTING MACHINE Aug. 19

Filed Oct. 19, 1945 s Sheet-Sheet s 31mm tor fllexander JGoficis Patented Aug. 19, 1947 I ED STATES PATENT 'OFVFICE 2,425,931 Y i .3

assignments, to Monsanto Chemical Company, Seattle, Wash, a corporation of Delaware.

Application October 19, 1945, Serial No. 623,375

- 5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for testing materials and, in particular, for testing the tensile strength of strips of material by pulling the strips in two. A main object of the invention is to provide testing apparatus which is rapid and accurate in operation and, at the same time, of relatively simple construction. Illustrative apparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a section taken in a vertical axial plane, certain parts appearing in elevation,

Figure 2 is a section substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-:4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an enlarged section substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2, and V Figure 6 is a fragmental view particularly showing a pressure snubbing device in axial section.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral l0 designates a base plate and reference numerals H and I2 parallel blocks secured on top of the base plate. Reference numeral l3 designates a plate secured across members I l and I2 and having a central circular opening l4 whose lower edge is chamfered, the top of the plate being rabbeted around the opening to provide an annular recess having a bottom wall I5. Secured to the bottom of plate l3 by bolts 22 is a circular cap l6 having a circular cavity I'I substantially registering with the opening l4 and rimmed by an annular shoulder l8, the inner edge of the shoulder being chamfered.

The opposed faces of the plate I3 and shoulder 18 are provided with registering annular grooves, of which those designated at I9 and 20 lie opposite eachother and closely adjacent the edges of the opening l4 and cavity l1. Clamped between the said opposed surfaces is a circular flexible diaphragm 2 l, here indicated as being of rubber or rubber-like composition. In assembly, the dlalarge part, outwardly into the grooves, as indi- 2 cated in Fig. 5, thus avoiding distortion of the active part of the diaphragm. v

An elbow 23 threaded in an opening in cap l6 connects cavity ll through a tube'24 with a valve 25. A T 26, threaded into a central opening in cap I6, is in connection at one end through a tube 21 with a three-way valve 28 having a pivoted control handle 29. A tube 30 leading froma source of hydraulic pressure, which may be simply the city supply, is connected into one side of a throttle valve 3|, which may be a needle valve, whose other side is led through a connection 32 intothe inlet port of valve 28. The other port 33 for release.

The other end of T 26 is in connection through A "a pipe 34 and a snubbing device 35 with a pressure gauge 36 which, in addition to the usual pointer 31, is equipped, in known fashion, with a rider pointer. When pointer 31 is moved under applied pressure it carries the rider with it throughout its travel, the rider remaining in its farthest advanced position as pointer 31 returns. After taking the reading the rider can be manually returned.

The snubbing device 35 comprises a tubular body 35' having a bore 31' and a smaller counterbore 38' whose upper edge serves as a seat for a ball 39 whose diameter is substantially less than that of bore 31'. Counterbore 38' is longitudinally scored so that when ball 39 is seated, minute passages exist betweenit and the seat. It will be evident that while fluid can flow freely unwardly through the snubbing device, return flow is greatly restricted.

Disposed in opening l4 of plate I3 is a circular piston or platen 40, the diameter of the piston being less than that of opening i 4 bytwice the thickness of the diaphragm, which may conveniently be one-sixteenth inch, so that clearance is provided for free vertical movement of the piston. The lower edge of the piston is chamfered to avoid injury to the diaphragm against which it normally rests. Secured coaxially to the top of the piston is a circular plate 42 of larger diameter, and

secured on top of plate 42 at its center is a stop block 43.

Reference numeral 44 designates a ring secured on plate I3 coaxially with opening l4 and sup-- porting a circular plate 46. The latter is provided with vertical bores in which are secured the lower ends of tubes 46 and "which serve as guides for rods 48 and 49, being equipped at their ends with soft metal bushings. The lower ends of rods 48 and 48 are reduced and set in circular recesses in the overhanging margin of plate 42, counterbores below the recesses passing cap screws 68, Figure 5, and Figure 3, which are threaded into the lower ends of the rods and against spac- 10 end of strip to be tested.

ing washers 52 and 53. In the normal position of parts shown in Figures 1 and 3 the heads of the cap screws rest on surface l6 of plate l8, and depending on the thickness of washers 52 and 68 the diaphragm will be more or less downwardly flexed.

Secured on top of plate 45 through a central screw 54, whose head is directly above stop block 43, and a spacer 55 is a round bar 56 whose ends are received in openings in blocks 51 and 88, the axis of bar 56 being in the vertical plane of the horizontal axis of T 26, Figure 2, so that its ends are on opposite sides ofthe vertical rods 48 and 48. Block 51 has a bore parallel to bar 56 thereabove and slidably receiving a shaft 88 having an inner threaded end engaged with a jaw 68 which is slidably mounted on bar 56, the jaw having secured to its inner end a face plate 6| with downwardly directed teeth. At its outer end shaft 58 has a head engaged in a coupling 62 by which it is swiveled to an aligned piston 68 connected with a piston, not shown, in a cylinder which is supported by arms as at 65, Figure 1, projecting outwardly of block 51. The piston is yieldingly held to the left by suitable spring means so that the jaw 68 is held in retracted position. By rotating shaft 59 through coupling 62 the threaded engagement between shaft 58 and 88 will cause axial movement of the latter so that it can be adjusted to a desired normal or starting position.

Rotatable in a bore in block 58 in alignment with shaft 58 is a shaft 66 which is equipped with a thrust collar 81 working against a surface at the inner end ofthe block. The shaft has a threaded inner end engaged with a Jaw 68 slidable on bar 66, the inner end of the jaw being equipped with a face plate 69 having downwardly faced teeth. Shaft 66 has an outwardly projecting end on which is fixed a knob 18. By turning the knob, jaw 68 can be adjusted to a desired normal or starting position. Jaw 69 i directly opposite jaw 6| and between them is a space S for the recep-' tion of the lower end of a strip to be tested.

Reference numeral 1|, Figures 1 and 3, designates a cross-head in the form of a plate having set therein thimbles l2 and 13 through which rods 48 and 49 pass, the thimbles having transverse openings for the reception of pins 14 and adapted to be inserted through transverse openings in rods 48 and 48 o as to secure the cross-head to the rods at a selected height. Secured beneath cross-head H by means of a screw 11' and spacer 18' is a bar 16 parallel to and directly above bar 56. The ends of the bar are received in openings in blocks 11 and 18 secured beneath the cross-head. Disposed in a bore in block 11 below and parallel to bar 16 is a shaft 18 threaded in a law 88 which is slidable on the bar directly above jaw 68, law 88 including a face Plate 8| h upwardly directed teeth. The outer end of shaft 19 is swiveled to a piston rod 88 through a coupling 8|, the piston rod being in connection with a piston, not shown, in a cylinder 8| supported by arms 82 and 83, Figures l In Figure 2, reference numeral 88 designates a three-way valve having an inlet port in connection witha pipe 88 leading from a source of compressed air. The valve has a pivoted operating handle 88 of the same length as handle 28 and in connection therewith through a detachable link 8| to provide a parellelogram arrangement so that when either of the handles is swung the other will be simultaneously and similarly swung. When handle 88 is swung to the right from the shut-ofl position shown in Figure 2, the inlet port of valve 88 is placed in connection with an outlet port which through a tube 82, T '88 and tubes 84 and 95, is in connection with the cylinders 64 and 8|. When handle 88 is swung to the left from shut-off position, the said outlet port i placed in connection with a second outlet port which goes to waste through a tube 86.

The described gripping devices and drive therefor are not claimed per se herein, being disclosed in the application of Lawshe and Gardiner filed December 27, 1944, Ser. No. 569,942.

In preparing the apparatus for use, valve 26 is opened, the gauge is uncoupled from the snubber, and line 8| is detached so that valve 28 can be operated without affecting valve 88. Valve 28 is then opened so that water is supplied beneath diaplsii'agm 2|, air escaping through valve 25 and line it may be closed and when water overflows the snubber 35, valve 28 is returned to shut-off position, link 8| is replaced, and the gauge is recoupled with the snubber.

Reference numerals 86 and 81 designate positioning blocks extending across bars 66 and II in the spaces S and S, the blocks having parallel opposed faces. Reference letter P designates a test strip, hereshown as a strip of three-ply plywood provided with opposite kerfs extending through two of the plies, the strip being of such length that it will remain upright when inserted between the positioning blocks 86 and 81.

With the strip or test specimen in position, jaws 68 and 83 are advanced until the jaw teeth engage the strip. The jaw teeth should be in the same vertical plane and this can be determined by lining up a pointer 81 carried by jaw 88, Figure 3, with a mark on jaw 68. When either of handles 29 and 88 is now swung to the right, Figure 2, valves 28 and 88 are opened with the result that air under pressure goes instantaneously to cylinders 64 and 8| so that jaws 68 and 88 are driven against the ends of the strip P and they are securely gripped between the opposed sets of teeth. The opening of valve 28 causes water to be supplied to cavity but with a retarded effect as compared to the action of the compressed air and consequently although both valves are simultaneously opened the strip will be gripped well before hydraulic action occurs. As the diaphragm is moved upwardly, thereby moving upwardly the upper set of laws, the applied pressure is indicated on the gauge and when the strip snaps, the maximum reading will be held by pointer 88. Up to the snapping point When flow of water occurs past valve 28' the pressure has free access to the gauge through the snubber. but when the strip ruptures, ball 38 seats with snubbing effect, thus preventing a violent return of pointer 81' such as could cause in- Jury to the gauge.

The function of needle valve BI is to throttle the rate of supply to a low point so as to avoid an excessively fast or jerky movement of the gauge pointer 31. Once it has been adjusted to obtain the correct smooth rate of movement. it is not disturbed until changing service pressure or a different strength range in the sheer test pieces make a readjustment desirable.

As soon as the piece being tested has broken, the valve handles are moved to the 'left to cut oil the supply and connect cavity i1 and cylinders 80 and 8! to waste.

The small amount of water required to rupture the test piece is then free to be pressed out of cavity H by the suspended weight, the hydraulically operated parts return to starting position, and the valves are turned to shut-oil position. The piping is so small that while valve 28 is in waste position no water will be lost from the system except the small amount that is actually pushed out by the returning piston. The broken piece is then removed and a new piece inserted and the cycle repeated.

The required movement of the diaphragm is very slight, being of the order of 0.050 in., and generally even less. In practice, it has proved important to adjust the position of the piston with reference to the diaphragm so that when the piston has reached the point where most of the specimens are likely to break, the rubber will not then be in a stretched or flexed condition. This eliminates error which would otherwise arise due to the elasticity of the rubber exerting a force which would cause a false increment in the pressure reading. Taking this fact into consideration, the washers 52 and 53 are of such thickness that when the heads of screws 50 and 5i rest on surface l5 for the support of the piston and parts carried thereby, the diaphragm is so flexed that in its upward movement most of the specimens will snap at the point at which the diaphragm becomes flat, as shown in Figure 5.

While I have disclosed herein the at present preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that variations in the form and arrangement of parts are possible and contemplated under the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for testing the tensile strength of a strip of material by pulling it in two, comprising a pair of gripping devices arranged to grip longitudinally spaced portions of a strip to be tested, a cap member having a cavity bounded by an annular rim portion, a ring portion secured to said rim portion, a diaphragm clamped between said portions, a piston in said ring portion normally resting against said diaphragm, means connecting said piston and one of said gripping devices whereby movement of the piston enforced by said diaphragm is imparted to said one of said devices to move the same away from the other gripping device. a pressure gauge, and a line in connection with said cavity and with said gauge whereby hydraulic fluid under pressure supplied to said cavity displaces the diaphragm to cause the rupturing of said strip.

2. Apparatus for testing the tensile strength of a strip of material by pulling it in two, comprising a pair of gripping devices arranged to grip longitudinally spaced portions or a strip to I be tested, a cap member having a cavity bounded by an annular rim portion, a ring portion secured to said rim portion, a diaphragm clamped between said portions, 9. piston in said ring portion normally resting against said diaphragm, means connecting said pistonand one of said gripping devices whereby movement of the piston enforced by said diaphragm is imparted to said one of said devices to move the same away from the other gripping device, a pressure gauge, a line in connection with said cavity and with said gauge whereby hydraulic fluid under pressure supplied to said cavity displaces the diaphragm to cause the rupturing of said strip, a valve in said line adjustable to open the line or to connect said cavity to waste, and athrottling valve in said line. v

3. Apparatus for testing the tensile strength of a strip of material by pulling it in two, comprising a pal: of gripping devices arranged to grip longitudinally spaced portions of a strip to be tested, a cap member having a cavity bounded by an annular rim portion, a ring portion secured to said rim portion, a rubber diaphragm clamped between said portions, at least one of said portions having an annular groove on its clamping face closely adjacent its inner edge into which the diaphragm material can flow due to clamping pressure and so minimize inward radial flow oi the material whereby distortion of the active portion of the diaphragm due to clamping pressure is substantially avoided, a piston in said ring portion normally resting against said diaphragm, a pressure gauge, a line in connection with said cavity and with said gauge, and means connecting said piston and one of said gripping means for transmitting to the latter movement of the piston caused by movement of the diaphragm when hydraulic fluid is supplied under pressure to said cavity and thereby move said one of said devices away from the other to cause .the rupturing of said strip.

4. Apparatus for testing the tensile strength of astrip of material by pulling it in two, comprising a ir of gripping devices arranged one above the 0, her and adapted to grip longitudinally spaced portions of a strip to be tested. means defining an upwardly faced chamber below said devices, a flexible diaphragm clamped horizontally across the chamber and dividing the chamber into upper and lower portions of which the lower is closed, a piston in the upper chamber portion normally resting against said diaphragm, means extending upwardly from said piston and in connection with the upper gripping device whereby movements of the piston are imparted to said upper device to move the same relative to the lower gripping device, a pressure gauge, and a hydraulic pressure line in connection with the lower chamber portion and with said gauge.

5. Apparatus for testing the tensile strength of a strip of material by pulling it in two, comprising a pair of gripping devices arranged one above the other and adapted to grip longitudinally spaced portions of a strip to be tested, means defining an upwardly faced chamber below said devices, a flexible diaphragm clamped horizontally across the chamber and dividing the chamber into upper and lower portions of which the lower is closed, a piston in the upper chamber portion normally resting against said diaphragm, means extending upwardly from said piston and in connection with the upper gripping device whereby movements of the piston are imparted to said upper device to move the same relative to the lower gripping device, means supporting the weight of the piston and superimposed gripping device and connecting means with the diaphragm normally flexed to such an extent that movement 01 the diaphragm to a position in which it is substantially unflexed will normally suillce to rupture the strip. a pressure gauge, and a hydraulic pressure line in connection with the lower chamber portion and with said gauge.

ALEXANDER J. GOLICK.

REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 570,970 Tomkins Nov. 10, 1896 1,848,468 Emery, Jr. Mar. 8, 1932 10 2,125,483 Blanchard Aug. 2, 1938 

